Dinwiddie in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 8, 2024
1. The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Marker
"I will hold on to Dinwiddie Court House until I am compelled to leave." -Sheridan
Final Dispositions on March 31,1865
Between 4 and 5:30 p.m. Confederates directed frontal assaults on the now constricted Union lines of defense. With darkness closing in, Pickett halted attacks, disappointing enthused Rebel units who felt victory was imminent. Confederate units reorganized around great fires in the cold nighttime bivouac on the battlefield. Celebratory music was heard from the Rebel bands while Union troops were ordered to sleep on their arms with no warming fires. During the night, Pickett learned the Union V corps was moving on his left and rear, potentially isolating his force from the White Oak Road entrenchments and further support. This caused him to withdraw from the hard-fought field in the middle of the night, retracing his steps to Five Forks and digging in for a certain counterstroke from combined Union infantry and cavalry.
Sheridan reported to Grant late that night "this force (Pickett's) is in more danger than I am. If I am cut off from the Army of the Potomac, it is cut off from Lee's army, and not
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Predawn April 1, Sheridan, standing erect in his stirrups and peering into the darkness, cautiously advanced and discovered the Confederates had withdrawn. He directed an advance towards Five Forks, constantly skirmishing with the Rebel rear guard. Union and Confederate forces moved towards the Civil War's decisive Battle of Five Forks, the "Waterloo of the Confederacy."
For more information on tours, preservation efforts and the history of the battlefields in and around Petersburg, visit the Petersburg Battlefields Foundation at www.petebattlefields.org
(caption) "Throwing up earthworks to prevent a night attack." Sketch by Alfred Waud
Erected 2024 by Petersburg Battlefields Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1865.
Location. 37° 5.786′ N, 77° 35.275′ W. Marker is in Dinwiddie, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It can be reached from Courthouse Road (Virginia Route
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 28, 2025
2. The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Marker
Two markers are at this location out of the original five. The other three shown in earlier photographs of the site have been relocated to the Courthouse, Fitzgerald's Ford, and Dinwiddie Middle School, respectively.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Southside Virginia, and specifically in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House (approx. one mile away); Vaughan Road (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House (approx. 1.1
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 28, 2025
3. Battle of Dinwiddie Courthouse Driving Tour
This marker is at Stop 4 of 4.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This marker is one of five that comprise the Battle of Dinwiddie Courthouse Driving Tour (4 Stops):
Also see . . .
1. Petersburg Battlefields Foundation. (Submitted on June 8, 2024.)
2. Petersburg Battlefields Foundation Facebook Page. (Submitted on June 8, 2024.)
3. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on June 8, 2024.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 8, 2024
4. The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on January 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on January 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 8, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
